A fuels reduction restoration project on approximately 50 acres in upper Lithia Park began on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. The work will continue through Sunday, December 15, 2019. No trails will be closed during this time, except for short, temporary closures when felling larger trees near trails.

Upper Lithia Park, on the eastside and up from Ashland Creek, is mostly undeveloped land with pedestrian trails. During dry conditions fire is one of the major concerns for the entire watershed, including upper Lithia Park. This area has proximity to downtown Ashland and densely populated residential neighborhoods. 

Treatment of the Lithia Park hillside will include thinning out of suppressed trees, cutting out of fading and stressed trees and retaining trees along cutbanks to maintain soil stability.  Tree species that will be part of the fuels reduction include Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Incense Cedar, White Oak and Pacific Madrone.  No cut species will be Big-leaf Maple, Oregon Ash, Dogwood and Mock Orange. 

This project is made possible by a one-time donation of $25,000 from Avista Utilities to the Ashland Parks Foundation (APF). The APF is the non-profit extension of APRC. The Foundation accepts donations and supports recreational programs and parkland projects within the parks system.

For information on APRC, visit AshlandParksandRec.org. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @AshlandParksandRec. #AshlandParksandRec #APRC #LithiaPark #APRCforestryTrails #FuelsReduction. Information on APF at AshlandParksFoundation.com.